11/15/2016 10:59 AM PST

Ed Hartwell says the last place he belongs is behind bars ... because he's paid estranged wifeKeshia Knight Pulliam every dime he was ordered to pay.

TMZ broke the story ... Pulliam demanded Hartwell get locked up after claiming he never came through with mandatory support payments. However, according to new docs filed by Ed, he's paid in full.

Keshia also claimed Ed missed a DNA test deadline for her unborn child -- but Ed's story's a little different -- claiming the "deadline" was something Keshia made up. He does not say whether he'll actually take the test though.

In the docs, Ed's parting shot is dismissing Keshia as an attention whore -- saying she only makes accusations against him in court to get media attention.